Sūrya, in Hindu mythology and religion, Suryain Hinduism, both the sun and the sun god. Although in the Vedic period (2nd millennium–7th century BCE) several other deities also possessed solar characteristics, most of these were merged into a single god in later Hinduism. Sūrya Surya was once ranked together along with Vishnu, ŚivaShiva, ŚaktiShakti, and GaṇeśaGanesha, and many temples dedicated to him are found throughout India. In modern Hinduism he is worshiped These five deities are worshipped by a very important group of Brahmans (priests), the Smartas, but Surya is worshipped as the supreme deity by only a small followinggroup, the Saura sect, though he is . He is, however, invoked by all most Hindus, and the Gāyatrī-Gayatri mantra, uttered daily at dawn by orthodox many Hindus, is addressed to the sun.

Sūrya Surya is the mythological father of many notable sons, including Manu (progenitor of the human race), Yama (lord of death), the Aśvins Ashvins (twin physicians to the gods), Karṇa Karna (a great warrior of the Mahābhāratasacred epic the Mahabharata), and Sugrīva Sugriva (king of the monkeys). The Purāṇas Puranas (collections of myths and legends) record that the weapons of the gods were forged from pieces trimmed from SūryaSurya, whose full emanation was too bright to bear. His power was conceived of as dispelling darkness, curing disease, and heating and illuminating the world. His wifeUṣas—in , Usas—in some accounts, his mother or mistress—is the personification of dawn.

Sculptures of Sūrya Surya often show him in “northern” or Scythian dress—close-fitting coat and high boots—suggesting an influence from Iranian sun cults. He is commonly represented in a chariot drawn by seven horses , or by a single horse with seven heads, holding full-blown lotuses, his head surrounded by a nimbus or by rays. One of the most splendid temples dedicated to Sūrya Surya is the 13th-century Sūrya Deula Surya Deul (“Sun Temple”), once called the Black Pagoda, at KonārakKonarak, in Orissa. There , the whole structure is conceived as a chariot on wheels in which the sun god rides across the heavens pulled by prancing horses.